At least that’s what state transportation officials will bank on when they complete installation of pedestrian-controlled traffic signals at two locations along Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is in the process of installing two High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signals over Gratiot (M-3) near Quinn Road and less than a half-mile north at Laurel Street.

The bar-mounted signals will stretch across both the north- and southbound lanes of Gratiot and will enable pedestrians who wish to the cross the multi-lane highways to activate stop signals at the push of a button.

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The signals are the first of their type to be installed by MDOT in Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair or Wayne counties. Other agencies have installed the devices, but none in Macomb County.

“This area in Macomb County was chosen because of heavy pedestrian traffic volumes along the busy eight-land Gratiot road,” said Diane Cross, MDOT spokeswoman.

“… The HAWK signal operates like any other traffic signal, except it only goes off when the button is pushed.”

The signals work like this:

When a pedestrian wants to cross Gratiot, say heading west to east at Quinn Road, he or she will push a button that activates the HAWK signal.

Signals mounted on arms that cross Gratiot will first turn to flashing yellow, alerting drivers that pedestrians are about to cross.

The flashing yellow is then replaced by a solid yellow, telling drivers to prepare to stop, followed by a red signal. At that point, the pedestrians can cross safely.

After a pre-determined amount of time, the red signal will turn to flashing red, which alerts drivers they can resume when the intersection is clear.

The signal will then go dark and remain that way until the button is next pushed.

“Traffic will have to stop when the signal is pushed, like any other traffic signal,” Cross said.

She acknowledged that a steady stream of pedestrians who wish to cross at the HAWK signals could affect traffic flow, particularly during high-volume periods.

But the overall goal of pedestrian safety trumps that concern, Cross explained.

“A safe crossing of pedestrians is better for everyone than pedestrians trying to cross a busy road without a signal,” she said.

The signals to be installed in Macomb County cost about $800,000, Cross said. She said she’s unaware of plans for more signals at other locations, but that decision could be influenced by the success of those that will operate along Gratiot.

The HAWK system was developed in Tuscon, Ariz. A 2010 study by the Federal Highway Administration used the Arizona system as the basis for a report on HAWK’s effectiveness in reducing accidents.

The study found a “statistically significant” reduction in pedestrian accidents at crossings controlled by HAWK signals, but cautioned that the data could be different elsewhere.

“The HAWK, … just like any other warning traffic-control

device may not work as well if overused,” the report concluded. “Also, such high crash reductions identified in this study may not be achieved at future locations if the site has different characteristics, such as less